I am Building a HERMS with a 3500W 240V element. My vessel is a 2 gal igloo cooler. I went to HD today to buy the copper tubing for the HEX and wasn't sure what to get. I was looking to get Type L tubing. They have 1/2 OD which takes a 3/8 copper plumbing fitting or they have 5/8 OD which takes the regular 1/2 copper plumbing fitting.
I would like to use the 5/8 OD tubing but maybe the size is overkill. My concern would be flow rate but not having used a HERMS system before I don't know if the difference between the 1/2 and 5/8 really means anything.
Also my cooler is 8" diameter at the top but it has these ribs on the inside. The best I could measure is that the diameter at the bottom is about 6.75" between the ribs. Would the 5/8 tubing be able to bend in that tight of radius? Below is picture of my cooler.
I would like to use the 5/8 OD tubing but maybe the size is overkill. My concern would be flow rate but not having used a HERMS system before I don't know if the difference between the 1/2 and 5/8 really means anything.
Also my cooler is 8" diameter at the top but it has these ribs on the inside. The best I could measure is that the diameter at the bottom is about 6.75" between the ribs. Would the 5/8 tubing be able to bend in that tight of radius? Below is picture of my cooler.